Science Notebooks
Teachers can use science notebooks and other forms of writing to help young scientists improve their understanding of scientific concepts.
By Jennifer Sinsel
With constant pressure on elementary teachers to ensure that their students are proficient readers and writers, it only makes sense to incorporate reading and writing into other subjects. Science provides the perfect avenue for subject integration, as children often get excited when writing about something they've experienced firsthand.
One of my favorite ways to integrate writing with science involves using science notebooks. The Interactive Science Notebook is a place where students can use both their “logic brain” and their “creative brain” to learn information. In it, they can keep notes, lab reports, and other information they receive in class—similar to the way in which notebooks are used in many classes. What makes this notebook different is the fact that students use their own creativity to personalize their learning. An interactive notebook forces them to think about what they are learning, and provides a way to improve information retention.
Interactive science notebooks are divided into two parts: the INPUT (on the right side of the book) and the OUTPUT (on the left side of the book). All notes and lab reports should be written on the right pages, while personalized information that shows understanding of each topic should be written on the left page across from the information. Encourage the use of color - research has shown that color helps the brain learn and remember information!
Ideas for Output
- 3-2-1 Review: List three things you learned, two things you wonder, and one symbol that represents the information you’re learning about.
- Top Ten List: List the top ten most important parts or things you learned about this topic in your own words.
- First Letter (Acrostic): List the topic and write a fact about it using each letter of the topic.
- CD Label: Create a CD label reflecting what you’ve learned. Invent the name of a band, an album title, and song titles that show you understand the material. Be sure to use color in your illustrations!
- Pictures/Drawings/Symbols: Draw or tape in a picture that represents the information on the right side of the page. Explain why it represents that information.
- Poem/Song/Rap: Write a poem, song, or rap that shows your understanding of the information on the right side of the page.
- Cartoon: Create a cartoon or comic strip showing your understanding of the information on the right side of the page.
- So What?: Explain why the information on the right side of the page is important, either in your own life or to society. In other words, what’s the big deal? Why do we have to learn this stuff?
Once students start thinking creatively and writing about their learning, their understanding and recall will improve dramatically. For other ways to use writing in science, check out the following lesson plans.
Science Writing Lesson Plans:
Exercise in Creating Drawings for Field Notebooks
In this lesson, students work with a partner to draw and describe a leaf. They then use their classmates' drawings and descriptions to identify the leaves. This lesson can help students begin thinking about how to make observations in nature, what information should be put into a field notebook, and attention to detail.
A Seashell Lesson: Writing for Detail and the Scientific Process
Students write detailed descriptions of a seashell. They write their descriptions, and draw a picture of the shell. They then try to have their classmates guess which shell they are describing.
Taking Outer Space to Cyber Space
Students learn about the planets in the solar system. They then write an essay about what they have learned and post their writing on the web.
Students learn about the invention of sticky notes and Velcro. They do research to find out the background of other everyday objects using the Internet, books, and other publications. When they are done with their research, they write a report.
